Australia govt not to appeal against Dr Haneefs work visa decision

Sydney, Jan 16 (ANI): The Australian Government has decided not to appeal against the decision of a full bench of the countrys Federal Court last month to give back Indian doctor Mohamed Haneef’s work visa.

This means now Dr Haneef will be able to return to Australia to work under the conditions of his 457 temporary long stay visa if he wants to.

Though, a couple of few weeks ago, after the Federal Courts decision came, the doctor had stated that he did not intend to go back to Australia.

The countrys Immigration and Citizenship Minister Chris Evans said that he would not appeal to the High Court in light of advice from the solicitor-general. “However, I have sought advice from my department on the ramifications of the Full Federal Court decision for the operation of the character provisions of the Migration Act. Upon receipt of that advice, I will consider the need for any legislative amendment,” an AAP report quoted Evans as saying.

It may be recalled that the Courts full bench had turned down the Governments appeal against Dr Haneef, who was falsely named for having links to terrorism attacks in Britain, following which his work visa was cancelled by the former Howard government.

Later, after intensive investigation, charges against him were dropped.

Dr Haneef was employed by Queensland Health as a medical registrar at the Gold Coast Hospital. (ANI)